Beat the heat up north in Pinetop-Lakeside

Many have avoided the area surrounding Show Low, Arizona, because of a wildfire. One nearby town is still urging people to visit and enjoy everything it has to offer.

Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona, is about 10 miles away from Show Low, which is only a few miles from the Cedar Fire.

The Cedar Fire had burned more than 67 square miles before pre-evacuation orders were lifted Friday. It was reported that the fire is being fought by 979 fire personnel, who were able to secure more fire lines to get to 42 percent containment of the fire.

“We’ve had a great group of fire service that has taken care of the fire,” Pinetop-Lakeside chamber-woman Rica Girardi said. “Through all of it, we’ve been open — we are available.”

Visiting the town to the northeast could be an enticing idea for many Valley residents based purely on the weather forecast. In Phoenix, it is projected to be a high of 110 degrees on both Saturday and Sunday. In Pinetop-Lakeside it is projected to be a high of 85 degrees on Saturday and 86 degrees on Sunday.

Besides the cooler weather, Pinetop-Lakeside has over 200 miles of non-motorized developed multi-use trails, has 60 miles of developed motorized trails and has 65 lakes and streams available for boating, kayaking and fishing, according to its website.

There’s even a nearby zip-line attraction, located at the Sunrise Park Resort.